The Executive Briefing Conference, set to take place  Sept. 26 to 28 at the renowned Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, will explore game-changing topics for woodworking professionals. Attendees will get a comprehensive look at themes shaping the  industry including  Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and trade issues and nearshoring/reshoring.

The Stow Company’s MES journey
As an important part of Industry 4.0, MES is instrumental in increasing productivity, and ensuring quality in a data-driven manufacturing environment. Participants at EBC will have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of MES and its potential in a session that focuses on the Stow Company’s adaption of the software.

Woodworking Network visited the company’s headquarters in Holland, Michigan in May to interview Randy Tallman, executive vice president and chief operating officer, and Scott Sliva, vice president, to discuss their implementation of MES. The session, scheduled for September 27 at 1:00 p.m. will present a video interview with company executives and a tour of its operations. Tallman and Sliva will be on hand to take questions from the audience. Also presenting during the session are Peter Tuenker, managing director of IMA Schelling, and Michal Prazanowski, Project Manager for 3Tec Automation, who will discuss the implementation of MES and data driven automation projects at other leading-edge companies around the world.

Trade issues/nearshoring/reshoring
For years the wood products industry followed so many other industries in moving manufacturing offshore. Despite the abundance of hardwoods and softwoods in North America, wood products, including furniture, cabinet, architectural woodworking and a host of other wood products sold in the U.S. are made overseas. The Executive Briefing Conference will feature an impactful session at 10:35 a.m. on September 27 on trade issues and nearshoring and reshoring in the United States in a panel that includes Betsy Natz, CEO of the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Assn. and Ron Montbleau, CEO of Montbleau & Associates a leading architectural woodwork firm based in San Diego. The KCMA has been actively engaged in combating dumping issues with China, while Montbleau has a successful Maquiladora plant in Mexico.

Other EBC highlights
• Opening keynote by Steve Shapiro, author and consultant, on how to “Disruption-Proof Your Business”

• Case Study presentation by Daniel Drapeau, president and CEO of Groupe Miralis, one of North America’s fastest-growing cabinet manufacturing companies and a leader in the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies.

• Optional networking workshops — Jim Bouchard, founder of the Sensei Leadership Movement on Leadership; Materials Introductions moderated by Kenn Busch, founder of Material Intelligence

• Woodworking Network Audience Recognition Banquet

• Woodworking’s New Workforce by Marc Sanderson President, Owner, Wilkie Sanderson, Innergy

• Closing keynote address by economist Chris Kuehl who will provide an economic outlook tailored to the fortunes of the woodworking industry

EBC draws executives from FDMC Market Leaders, key industry associations, the FDMC 300, 40 Under 40, and others from residential and office furniture, kitchen cabinet, and architectural millwork firms.

IMA Schelling Group is a Platinum Sponsor of EBC 2023. Other EBC 2023 sponsors include Blum Inc., Elektra, Innergy, and Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company.

For more information on presenting at or sponsoring EBC 2023, please contact Harry Urban at [email protected]. Register now at woodworkingnetwork.com/executive-briefing-conference.